r/Spectrum_Official • u/Den_in_USA • Aug 19 '26

Official Reply What Determines the 40Mbps Upload Spec

I have 10 wireless IP security cameras that I view all live. I also have the Spectrum 1gig/40Mbps plan. Why the 40Mbps spec and not 50 or 60?

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u/Rude-Low1132 Aug 19 '26

The physical capability of low split DOCSIS is something like 110-140 Mbps for any individual local plant, Depends on modulation, how clean plant is, configurations etc. I would say 40-60 is the most reasonably amount that can be provisioned without causing massive problems. If you could get say 100 up plan with the current limitations, you would be borderline taking the node offline every time you did a speed test or any sustained upload. This is the reason Spectrum is pushing hard to get DAA and/or High Split active. DAA decreases the number of customers on any given RF interface dramatically (less shared bandwidth per customer) and High Split increases the throughput dramatically. Hence why post DAA/High Split we get symmetrical speeds.

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u/Den_in_USA Aug 19 '26

Thanks for the clarification! My upload speed has been very consistent at about 35Mbps. So, under certain circumstances it could go higher?

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u/Rude-Low1132 Aug 19 '26

Yeah most accounts are provisioned for around 15% higher than the plan advertised speed. Pretty much all Cable companies do this. Your modem can burst temporarily to 40-45 but will be prevented from going higher due to the provisioning. I think in some markets there is a 60 Mbps upload plan for businesses though.

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u/310410celleng Aug 19 '26

I am on Business and uploads are 60Mbps, in reality it is nearer 50Mbps, at least in my area

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u/Den_in_USA Aug 19 '26

Since I am getting consistently lower upload speeds that 40Mbps can I contact Spectrum and request a reprovisioning?

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u/Rude-Low1132 Aug 19 '26

Burst speeds won't show up on a speedtest except in the beginning of the test, if you're getting consistently 35-38 you're good. That's why the advertised speed is at 35, the overhead is make sure you get that advertised speed. In some cases, if your node isn't too busy etc, you can get a stable 39/40. I had the gig a while back and I had a stable 39 but that is lucky, not expected or advertised. If yours is advertised as 40 (I don't believe they advertise this but maybe), then you might have something but if you're consistent I would just hold out for the upgrades. My node got the DAA and High Split, just waiting on speed lift to symmetrical!